Mette-Marit, aged 52, received a diagnosis in 2018 of a rare type of pulmonary fibrosis, a lung scarring condition that leads to breathing problems.
According to the palace on Tuesday, Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon will reduce his royal responsibilities in order to dedicate more time to his seriously ill wife, Mette-Marit, who requires a lung transplant.
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Media reports noted the heir apparent canceled official appointments set for Tuesday and Wednesday, while last week he abstained from attending the government’s regular Friday cabinet meeting.
«In light of the crown princess’s health situation, the crown prince will modify his timetable going forward to prioritize spending more time with his wife,» the palace stated in an email to AFP.
Mette-Marit, now 52, was found to have an uncommon form of pulmonary fibrosis in 2018, a lung condition characterized by scarring that impairs breathing.
Medical experts described this as a final option, used when a patient’s life expectancy is estimated to be less than two years.
While awaiting transplantation surgery, the Crown Princess will be unable to fulfill her official responsibilities, the palace announced.
This announcement came a day after a court in Oslo sentenced the crown princess’s 29-year-old son from a previous relationship, Marius Borg Høiby, to four years imprisonment for two violations of rape and 32 additional charges.
Though not formally part of the royal family and lacking permanent employment, Høiby was acquitted of two other rape charges but found guilty of repeated domestic violence against an ex-partner, traffic infractions, threats, and other crimes.
He has denied the most serious allegations, and his legal team indicated plans to appeal the verdict.
Additional sources • AFP